Timepiece mechanism structure

Abstract

A timepiece mechanism structure for receiving and guiding at least one pivoting wheel set is provided. The structure includes at least one inseparable single-piece structure, including one inseparable single-piece frame which includes pivot housings aligned in pairs in a direction of alignment for receiving the pivots of an arbour of this pivoting wheel set, and each pivot housing is an open housing formed by a half bearing or by a dihedral, and includes at one end a stop bearing surface in this direction of alignment.

What is claimed is:  
     
       1. A timepiece mechanism structure to receive and guide at least one pivoting wheel set, the structure comprising:
 at least one inseparable single-piece structure, which includes at least one inseparable single-piece frame which includes pivot housings aligned in pairs in a direction of alignment to receive pivots of an arbour of at least one said pivoting wheel set, and each said pivot housing is an open housing formed by a half bearing or by a dihedral, and includes at one end a stop bearing surface in said direction of alignment, 
 wherein the at least one said inseparable single-piece structure includes a position adjustment mechanism for a position adjustable component including a bearing carrier connected to said frame by an elastic return mechanism, said position adjustment mechanism including a rigid structure carrying, via at least one resilient strip, said position adjustable component which further includes an indexing mechanism arranged to cooperate with a complementary indexing mechanism comprised in an adjustment mechanism, said complementary indexing mechanism being detachably mounted to the indexing mechanism and being lockable in a cooperating position by a clamping mechanism resiliently secured to said rigid structure, said clamping mechanism being in turn subject to an action of a locking mechanism which allows said clamping mechanism to occupy either a detached position wherein said adjustment mechanism is free, or an engaged position wherein said clamping mechanism hinders said adjustment mechanism, said locking mechanism also being resiliently secures to said rigid structure. 
 
     
     
       2. The timepiece mechanism structure according to  claim 1 , wherein said timepiece mechanism structure also includes at least one cover arranged to cooperate with said at least one frame in order, in a closure position of said at least one cover on said at least one frame, to confine with minimum play each said arbour of each said pivoting wheel set comprised in said timepiece mechanism structure, and wherein said timepiece mechanism structure includes, on said at least one frame and/or said at least one cover, a flexible play take-up mechanism to confine each said arbour without play. 
     
     
       3. The timepiece mechanism structure according to  claim 2 , wherein said inseparable single-piece structure is formed by said frame and said cover together confining said pivoting wheel sets in position in said pivot housings, said frame and said cover forming an inseparable single-piece assembly. 
     
     
       4. The timepiece mechanism structure according to  claim 1 , wherein said frame is a closed frame. 
     
     
       5. The timepiece mechanism structure according to  claim 1 , wherein at least one said pivot housing is a dihedral. 
     
     
       6. The timepiece mechanism structure according to  claim 1 , wherein at least one said pivot housing includes a shoulder of revolution to radially hold one said arbour, and said stop bearing surface is a frontal shoulder to axially limit the axial end of said arbour, said shoulder of revolution and/or said frontal shoulder being carried by at least one resilient shock absorber. 
     
     
       7. The timepiece mechanism structure according to  claim 6 , wherein said shoulder of revolution and said frontal shoulder are carried together by the at least one resilient shock absorber. 
     
     
       8. The timepiece mechanism structure according to  claim 6 , wherein the at least one said resilient shock absorber is in a single piece with said inseparable single-piece structure. 
     
     
       9. The timepiece mechanism structure according to  claim 6 , wherein said shoulder of revolution and/or said frontal shoulder is in a single-piece with said inseparable single-piece structure. 
     
     
       10. The timepiece mechanism structure according to  claim 1 , wherein at least one said pivot housing is integral with a bearing carrier connected to said frame by said elastic return mechanism. 
     
     
       11. The timepiece mechanism structure according to  claim 1 , wherein said pivot housings include a constant position relative to said at least one inseparable single-piece structure. 
     
     
       12. The mechanical timepiece movement including at least one timepiece mechanism structure according to  claim 1 . 
     
     
       13. A method of forming a timepiece mechanism structure to receive and guide the at least one pivoting wheel set according to  claim 1 , wherein said inseparable single-piece structure is fitted with an integrated elastic return mechanism in a single-piece therewith, either to hold without play at least one said arbour of at least one said pivoting wheel set, and/or to form at least one resilient shock absorber, and/or to allow adjustment of position of a bearing carrier, and said inseparable single-piece structure is made of silicon, and said integrated elastic return mechanism comprised therein is prestressed in an oxidized silicon state. 
     
     
       14. The method according to  claim 13 , wherein said pivot housings are made straight in the silicon with DLC surface coatings. 
     
     
       15. The method according to  claim 13 , wherein said inseparable single-piece structure is made with at least one inseparable single-piece frame including pivot housings aligned in pairs to receive the pivots of at least one said pivoting wheel set, and said pivot housings are made by anisotropic etches in a silicon substrate. 
     
     
       16. The method according to  claim 15 , wherein said inseparable single-piece structure is formed with said frame and a cover together confining said pivoting wheel sets in a position in said pivot housings, and said frame and said cover are irreversibly secured to each other by welding or soldering or bonding or rivets or by laser welding to form an inseparable single-piece assembly.